Norwich Cathedral vigil for missing UEA student

A vigil is to be held on Saturday at Norwich Cathedral for missing Gorleston student Sophie Smith, who was last seen in her home town in the early hours of Boxing Day.

Called “A Vigil for the peace of Sophie”, there will be an open service on Saturday, March 3 from 5pm for those affected by Sophie’s disappearance and for those who searched for her. The vigil will be led by Andy Bryant, Canon for Mission and Pastoral Care at Norwich Cathedral. Rev Brian Hall, Vicar of St Andrew’s in Gorleston, will be assisting in leading the service, which is expected to last just under 60 minutes.

The vigil will include music, readings and reflections along with the opportunity to light candles. There will also be an opportunity to give thanks for all the professional agencies as well as members of the public who gave so much time to the search for Sophie. All who wish to attend are welcome to do so.

Sophie, 21, a second-year biomedicine student at the University of East Anglia, disappeared from her home in Avondale Road, Gorleston at 3am on Boxing Day, without a mobile phone wearing just a vest and shorts. Subsequent CCTV footage captured her heading towards the seafront a short time later, but there have been no other confirmed sightings since then.